1. Chapter 3 Social Work and Social Systems
Social Work An Empowering Profession
Seventh Edition
Brenda DuBois & Karla Miley
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2. Ecosystems Perspective
Social systems
Subsystems
Environments
Ecological perspective
Person : environment
Goodness of fit
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3. Human System Transactions
Input
Processing
Output
Feedback
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4. Implications of Social Systems for Social Work
Regard environmental context of human functioning
Consider problems and solutions in multiple systems
Understand change in one system effects interrelated systems
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5. Engage, Assess, Intervene, Evaluate CSWE EPAS 2.1.10
Generalist social work practitioners examine clients’ situations in the context of the entire social milieu.
How does knowing that both problems and solutions can be found in the social environment inform a generalist approach to assessment and intervention?
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Social Functioning
How people perform roles and function in society
Types
Effective
At risk
Difficulties in functioning
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7. Environmental Press and Stress
Stressors create barriers and problems in social functioning
Examples: poverty, poor health, inadequate education, architectural barriers
Environmental enrichments augment social functioning and enhance well-being
Examples: adequate housing, job opportunities, access to health care
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8. Human Behavior CSWE EPAS 2.1.7
Social functioning is an index of social well-being defined by a person’s ability to interact effectively in society.
What personal, interpersonal, and environmental factors enhance and/or impede social functioning?
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9. Micro level Social Work Intervention
Work with individuals, families or small groups
Issues
Personal adjustment
Interpersonal relationships
Environmental stresses
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10. Mezzo level Social Work Intervention
Work with formal groups and complex organizations
Issues
Group or organizational functioning
Patterns of decision making
Styles of interaction
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11. Macro level Social Work Intervention
Work with neighborhoods, communities, and societies
Activities
Community organizing
Economic development
Legislative action
Policy formulation
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12. Working with the Social Work Profession
Work with the social work profession
Activities
Renew and refine the profession
Promote a just society
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13. Engage, Assess, Intervene, Evaluate CSWE EPAS 2.1.10
Social work clients may be at any level in the social systems continuum - individuals, families, groups, organizations, neighborhoods, and communities.
What specialized knowledge and skills do social workers need for their practice with each of these client systems?
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14. Integrated Generalist Model
Basis is issues rather than methods
Simultaneous intervention at multiple system levels
Employs variety of models and methods
Addresses diverse client problems and needs
Applies to wide range of settings
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15. Critical Thinking CSWE EPAS 2.1.3
Traditional methods of social work include casework, group work, and community organization.
Why should the definition or nature of the problem and not the method alone determine which intervention strategies social workers select?
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